Digestive enzymes are responsible for the proper functioning of your digestive system. The digestive system is a complex and vital part of our body, and its proper functioning relies heavily on a team of hardworking digestive enzymes. These tiny protein molecules act as catalysts, speeding up the chemical reactions that break down food into its basic components, allowing us to absorb essential nutrients.

If you are suffering from digestive problems then this information about the digestive enzymes will be helpful for you.

Let’s first understand

What are Enzymes

The functions of living organisms depend on chemical reactions. For example, the conversion of sugar to carbon dioxide and water with the release of energy proceeds through a series of chemical reactions each of which requires biological catalysts for the reaction to occur.

Enzymes are proteins that serve as biological catalysts.

How do enzymes work?  

Without these enzymes conditions for the reaction would be required which would be incompatible with the life of the cell. Thus, enzymes play a vital role in the function of the normal cell.

Since most chemical reactions in the body require the action of enzymes, these biological catalysts often serve as the focal point for regulating body functions. Increased enzyme activity accelerates the production of a given product that may be essential for a particular function.

Enzymes work to divide big molecules into small molecules that the body can easily absorb. Some enzymes work to bind small molecules to create a new molecule.

Types of Digestive Enzymes

According to the function of an enzyme, there are three main types of enzymes.

a) Carbohydrate Digesting enzymes:

These enzymes digest carbohydrates into the simplest sugar form that the body can absorb. Imagine carbohydrates as intricate chains made of sugar molecules linked together. Carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, act like molecular scissors, snipping those chains into smaller pieces. Carbohydrate digestive enzymes are mainly Amylase, Maltase, Lactase and Sucrase.

b) Protein Digesting Enzymes:

These enzymes help to digest protein.

Proteases: Also known as peptidases, proteolytic enzymes, or proteinases, are digestive enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids. These enzymes, like trypsin and chymotrypsin, are produced by the pancreas and chop proteins into smaller peptides and eventually amino acids, the building blocks of protein in our body.

Pepsin: This enzyme is found in the stomach and helps break down proteins in acidic conditions.

c) Fat Digesting Enzymes

Fat-reducing enzymes are fat-digesting enzymes.

Lipase: This pancreatic enzyme is the fat-fighter, breaking down triglycerides (the main form of fat in food) into glycerol and fatty acids, which can then be absorbed.

Although, the Commission of Enzymes of the International Union of Biochemistry established a complete but rather complex system of classification and nomenclature.

 According to the plex system of classification, enzymes are divided into six general groups:

• 1 Oxidoreductase: Catalyzing oxidation-reduction reactions.
• 2 Transferases: Catalyzing transfer of a chemical group from one molecule to another.
• 3 Hydrolases: Catalyzing hydrolytic reactions.
• 4 Lyases: Catalyzing the addition of groups to double bonds or vice versa.
• 5 Isomerases: Catalyzing intermolecular rearrangements.
• 6 Ligases ( also known as syntheses): Catalyzing the condensation of two molecules coupled with the cleavage of a pyrophosphate bond of ATP or similar triphosphate.

Although there are thousands of enzymes in the human body involved in growth, blood coagulation, healing, diseases, breathing, reproduction and many other biological activities, the most significant impact on human nutritional intake is digestive enzymes. 

The lack of sufficient active digestive enzymes prevents food nutrients from being fully absorbed and affects the efficiency of muscle synthesis in the body. 

Nutrients will be absorbed by intestinal cells through different digestive tract enzymes and then transported to various tissues and organs of the body.

Main Digestive Enzymes

Generally speaking, the main digestive enzymes in the human body are as follows:

Amylase

The digestive enzyme that digests and decomposes carbohydrates is amylase, this enzyme is secreted from the pancreas to help the digestion and absorption of starch foods. 

Amylase can be divided into alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, pullulanase, glucoamylase, etc., through these enzymes, starch can be completely decomposed. 

In addition, the human body belongs to monogastric animals. Like other monogastric animals, the decomposition of starch is mainly done by endogenous α-amylase.

Protease

The function of protein digestive enzymes is to decompose and digest the protein ingested by people. When we eat, the stomach will begin to secrete strong protein digestive enzymes, preparing for the digestion process. 

In the absence of such enzymes, no amount of protein intake will have any effect. Hence some protein nutritional supplements are on the market, such as whey protein and add some digestive enzymes in advance. 

Proteases can be mainly classified into metal carboxypeptidases, serine endoproteases, cysteine proteases, carboxyl endoproteases, Metallo endoproteases, etc. Each protease will only act on a specific peptide bond due to different amino acid residues. For example, trypsin can only hydrolyze the bonds of amino acid or arginine residues. It means that the lack of any protein enzyme will lead to obstacles to nutritional intake.

Lipase

Lipase, also known as pancreatic lipase or lipolytic enzyme, is an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of fat. The enzymes that can break down fat in the human body are lingual lipase, gastric lipase, and pancreatic lipase. 

The digestion of fat is mainly decomposed by the action of pancreatic fat. 

Pancreatic fat is mainly secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum. During the digestion process, the fat is broken down into glycerol and fatty acid and then absorbed into the body by diffusion.

Lactase

Since we must constantly consume dairy-derived proteins, such as whey protein, casein, etc., these protein products usually contain unremoved lactose. Therefore, for those who are lactose intolerant, drinking these protein products can easily cause diarrhoea or indigestion. That is why the body lacks lactase digestive enzymes. 

In our intestines, the digestion of lactose mainly depends on the lactase. At the top of the small intestine, villi break down lactose into the most basic monosaccharides, which are further absorbed. 

When lactase is insufficient, undecomposed lactose becomes food for bacteria in the intestine. When these bacteria digest lactose, they produce gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, water, and short-chain fatty acids. These large amounts of extra gas, water, and acid can cause vomiting, farting, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and sour watery stools.

Cellulase

The function of cellulase is to decompose fibre, but before discussing fibre enzymes, one must first understand the importance of dietary fibre. The daily intake of fibre can be divided into two categories: water-soluble and water-insoluble. 

The water-soluble dietary fibre includes hemicellulose, pectin, and algae gum, such as vegetables, fruits, cereals, and beans. Insoluble dietary fibres include cellulosic, woody, gum, viscose, etc. For example, beans, vegetables, fruits, and rhizome foods contain insoluble dietary fibres. 

We often consume high levels of protein, which can lead to an accumulation of toxins in the body and put a strain on our digestive system. Dietary fibre absorbs water in the digestive tract and absorbs other residues, indigestible wastes, food additives, toxins, carcinogens, harmful substances, etc. It can stimulate the peristalsis of the intestine and expel these unhelpful wastes from the body.

These are just some of the many digestive enzymes that work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our bodies get the nutrients they need. Understanding their roles can help us appreciate the intricate workings of our digestive system. Moreover, this information gives choices about our diet and overall health.

Uses of  Enzymes

As I said most chemical reactions in the body require the action of enzymes, the actions of a considerable number of drugs representing a wide variety of pharmacologic agents depend on enzyme-drug interaction. Indeed, the pharmacologic action of many drugs currently being prescribed by the physician.

Since enzymes are so intricately involved in the regulation of function, it is logical to suppose that drugs may increase or decrease function by stimulating or depressing enzyme activity, respectively.
Most of the enzymes currently available in the market are hydrolases. 

These enzyme preparations are of limited use in the following conditions:

• 1 Debridement: Aids in resolving and removing blood clots or fibrinous or purulent accumulations.
• 2 Replacement therapy to correct certain gastrointestinal deficiencies, consult your physician to choose the right enzyme for your digestive problem.
• 3 Locally in certain inflammatory conditions after either a topical application or hypodermic injection.   

Enzymes are also been used in the food, agriculture and cosmetic industries along with the pharmaceutical industry. Enzymes are mainly used in making cheese, brewing beer, baking bread, extracting fruit juices and much more.

Suggestion

It’s important to remember that everyone’s digestive system is unique. Enzyme production can vary depending on individual factors like genetics and health conditions. If you’re experiencing persistent digestive issues, consult a healthcare professional. They can help identify enzyme deficiencies and suggest appropriate supplements or dietary changes.

I hope this brief information about enzymes may be helpful to you. Please don’t hesitate to share with others for their help.